Haringey yet to be told of Baby P father’s legal action

By Corin Williams on August 12, 2009 in Child safeguarding

Haringey Council has yet to be told by lawyers representing the natural father of Baby Peter that he intends to sue the authority over child protection failures.

The father, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is said to have taken early retirement after his son died. Details of his intention to pursue a £200,000 personal injury compensation claim against Haringey have been published in several newspapers this week.

It has also been reported that the father had told social workers that Steven Barker posed a threat to Baby Peter five months before he died but that no background checks were carried out.

However, a council spokesperson said that they had not yet received a legal notice.

The council also confirmed that the former head of children in need and safeguarding, Clive Preece, has lodged an appeal against his dismissal after the Baby Peter case, contrary to a newspaper report.

Five staff are appealing against their dismissal at an employment tribunal, including the former director of children’s services, Sharon Shoesmith.

Shoesmith is also challenging children’s secretary Ed Balls, Ofsted and Haringey for their role in her sacking. The High Court has fast-tracked the appeal, which will be heard over three days from 7 October.